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No. 12/13 Stanford Cruises Past Santa Clara, 9-2

Stanford, Calif. - The No. 12/13 Stanford softball team won its first game of the Stanford Invitational at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadiumtoday, with a 9-2 victory over the Santa Clara Broncos. The Cardinal used two three-run innings and three RBI by TriciaAggabao to cruise to its fifth win of the season. Stanford improves to 5-2 overall with the win, while the Broncos dropto 0-7.

The Cardinal put its first three runs on the board in the second inning. A pair of walks and a fielder's choiceput Rosey Neill and Missy Penna on base. Aggabao drove a two-out double to left centerfield, to bring home both runners and collect her sixth and seventh RBI of the season. Freshman Alissa Haber drovehome Aggabao with her second collegiate double and the Cardinal took an early 3-0 lead.

Stanford added another run in the top of the third. Santa Clara walked four batters, including Aggabao with basesloaded, to bring in Maddy Coon for Stanford's fourth run of the game.

The Broncos mounted a comeback attempt in their half of the third inning. Noelani Hoopii posted the first SantaClara hit, driving a ball down the right field line, before Alyc Kalamaha and Jackie Morales earned walks to loadthe bases. A sacrifice fly by Meghan Chavez brought one home, and another scored on a Cardinal error.

Three more walks and an infield single by senior Jackie Rinehart added the fifth Stanford run in the top of thefourth. Third baseman Michelle Smith drew a two-out walk to bring in Haber, and the Cardinal took back athree-run lead.

In the sixth inning, Stanford continued to build its lead, with another RBI by Smith. Rinehart reached on hersecond infield single of the afternoon and advanced to second on a Coon grounder that was overthrown by the Broncoshortstop. Smith's single brought in Rinehart from second, and the Cardinal took a 6-2 lead.

Stanford finished off the Broncos in the seventh inning, adding three more runs on three hits. Freshman MichelleSchroeder notched her first collegiate hit to lead off the inning, and fellow freshman Shannon Koplitz reached ona passed ball after a strikeout, scoring Schroeder. Rinehart reached on a fielder's choice, and scored on a Coondouble. Senior Lindsay Key singled to right field to move Coon to third and Neill brought Coon home with an infieldground ball.

Pitcher Becky McCullough tallied five strikeouts for the Cardinal and improved to 2-1 on the season. Aggabao ledthe team with three RBI, while Rinehart notched two hits.

Stanford continues play against Missouri at the Stanford Invitational immediately following the conclusion of the game.